The Tarot of Eli-2-LLC: Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot- Key 4- The Emperor & B.O.TA. Tarot- Key 4-The Emperor

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The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot and the Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.) are usually very close in their traditional tarot art and meanings, but the difference between them becomes much more obvious in the Key 4. Fundamentally, the meaning of the Emperor Card is Reason; Therefore, the Emperor is that part of the Universal Collective Mind that oversees and controls measurement and/or definition. This is the basic function of reason, as it is the part of the mind we use to supervise and control our daily activities. Vision is also associate with this card, (The Hebrew letter on the bottom of the B.O.T.A. Key 4 card is called Heh-meaning window/door).When we consider Vision as insight or Idea, we can see how it applies to the Emperor; However, physical sight is also meant here, hence the orange background that represents the Sun-source of light that enables us to see.

The Mountains, in the background on both cards, represents the zodiacal sign of Aries ; golden in the Rider-Waite-Smith card, and Aries/Mars Red in the B.O.T.A. Emperor. Aries is also symbolized by the Rams head on the Thrones of both cards, and also on the shoulder of the B.O.T.A. Key 4 card. Mars is represented in the steel armor that seen on the B.O.T.A. Emperor and the red robes of the Rider-Waite-Smith Emperor. The purple flaps over the Armor of the B.O.T.A. Emperor represent rulership since purple is considered the Royal Color.

Both Emperors hold a globe, which is considered a conventional symbol of domination. Also the globe and the cross, represent the circle and the Tao (Egyptian Ankh) of the scepter, symbolizing the male and female potencies of the radiant mental energy and/or Life Force. The B.O.T.A Emperor also is facing to the left, where he is "I" to "I" with the Empress. This is a much more Qaballistic image than the Rider-Waite-Smith Emperor who sits facing the reader. For it is known that there is no He without She and no She without He, this is called Yab Yum in Tibetan Tantra (Goddess/God face to face). The Qaballistic formula of 0=2. Hence, the Hebrew letter of Heh, that is shown on the bottom right of the B.O.T.A. Emperor card. For He is the Window, through which She can be viewed. In other words, the Empress has given him the authority to put measurement to Her Ideas. Now he is the architect that puts boundaries' to form.

Also the 12 points on the Helm of the B.O.T.A. and Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, are associated with the 12 houses of the zodiac. Traditionally, the Emperor sits on a granite throne, representing earth. However, the B.O.T.A. Emperor sits on a granite cube. Representing the Cube of the Universe. Hence, the difference between the Rider-Waite-Smith and the B.O.T.A. Key 4 is not only that one must color their Builders of the Adytum cards, but also that these cards reveal more Western Hermetic Qabalistic knowledge than the Rider-Waite-Smith Cards.

When the Emperor, Key 4, is thrown in a divination it implies:

• Rulership of the mind over nature.
• Justice and order.
• Creativity.
• Perception.
• Stability.
• Perspective.
• Realism.
• Objectivity. 
• Sense of responsibility.

If the card is reversed:

• High handedness.
• Perfectionism.
• Cleverness without intuition.
• The restriction of reality.
• Rationality as a prison.

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